Zipper construction with integrated semi-rigid stiffening shaft

ABSTRACT

A zipping apparatus includes a zipper, a first connecting portion, a first channel, and a first rod. The zipper extending in a parallel axis includes crosslinking teeth and a tab movably coupled to the crosslinking teeth. The tab is configured to open and close the zipper. The first connecting portion is coupled to the zipper and extends in the parallel axis. The first channel is disposed along the first connecting portion and extends in the parallel axis. The first rod is configured to be positioned within the first channel, such that the first rod is configured to provide structure to the zipper assembly when positioned within the first channel.

CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/245,087, filed on Sep. 16, 2021, and entitled “Zipper Construction with integrated semi-rigid stiffening shaft,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Baggage (e.g., luggage, bags, backpacks, purses, etc.) often include zippers that are sewn into the bag. The zipper can tend to be difficult to open and close due to flexibility of the surrounding fabric and the zipper itself, and can cause folding and separation of the two sides of the zipper. Standard zippers also often include zipper tape which can similarly lead to bending and folding of the zipper during use.

SUMMARY

At least one embodiment relates a zipping apparatus. The zipping apparatus includes a zipper, a first connecting portion, a first channel, and a first rod. The zipper extending in a parallel axis includes crosslinking teeth and a tab movably coupled to the crosslinking teeth. The tab is configured to open and close the zipper. The first connecting portion is coupled to the zipper and extends in the parallel axis. The first channel is disposed along the first connecting portion and extends in the parallel axis. The first rod is configured to be positioned within the first channel, such that the first rod is configured to provide structure to the zipper assembly when positioned within the first channel.

Another embodiment relates to a method of using a zipper apparatus. The method comprises providing a zipper extending in a parallel axis and a first connecting portion coupled to the zipper. The first connecting portion extends in the parallel axis. The method further comprises forming a first channel disposed along the first connecting portion, the first channel extending in the parallel axis, and inserting a first rod within the first channel such that the first rod is configured to provide structure to the zipper assembly when positioned within the first channel.

This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a zipping apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 2-4 are isolated views of the zipping apparatus of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a channel of the zipping apparatus of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 6A-6D are schematic view of a channel of the zipping apparatus of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

Standard zippers have little inherent stiffness. Due to the difficulty of opening and closing a zipper caused by the flexibility of the surrounding fabric and the zipper itself, the zipper folds and can separate (e.g., a gap may form between teeth of the zipper and/or can become misaligned). Therefore, incorporating a stiffening component to the zipper and/or zipper tape prevents bending and folding of the zipper during opening and closing of the zipper. As described herein, a semi-rigid rod or shaft may be placed into or onto the fabric zipper tape, thus stiffening the fabric and preventing folding of the zipper making opening and closing of the zipper smooth and easy. A semi-rigid rod or shaft is one which is stiff and solid, but not inflexible. Examples of materials which may be used to construct a semi-rigid rod or shaft include, without limitation, nylon, polypropylene, and spring steel.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a zipping apparatus 10 is illustrated. As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the zipping apparatus 10 includes a zipper 12. The zipper 12 includes crosslinking teeth 14 (e.g., a plurality of interlocking grooves) and a tab 16 coupled to the crosslinking teeth 14. The zipper 12 includes a first side 18 and a second side 20. The first side 18 and the second side 20 are opposite each other across the crosslinking teeth 14 such that each of the first side 18 and the second side 20 are integrated with the crosslinking teeth 14 and extended along a parallel axis. The crosslinking teeth 14 are configured to open and close as the tab 16 is moved along the length of the zipper 12 (e.g., along the parallel axis), thus separating the first side 18 and the second side 20.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4 , a first connecting portion 22 and a second connecting portion 24 is illustrated. The zipping apparatus 10 includes the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 24. The first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 24 may be comprised of zipper tape or may be a separate strip of fabric (i.e., separate from the zipper 12), for instance. The first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 24 are configured to be coupled to first side 18 and the second side 20 of the zipper 12, respectively. The first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 24 extend along the parallel axis. The first connecting portion 22 includes a first channel 26 and the second connecting portion 24 includes a second channel 28. The first connecting portion 22 and the first channel 26 may be substantially similar to the second connecting portion 24 and the second channel 28.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , the first channel 26 is disposed along the first connecting portion 22. For instance, the first channel 26 may be at least a portion of the first connecting portion 22. In one preferred embodiment intended to be non-limiting, the first connecting portion 22 may have a total width W1 within a range of 0.25-1.25 inches, inclusively (e.g., 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 1 inch, etc.). The first channel 26 may have a channel width W2 within a range of 0.05-0.25 inches, inclusively (e.g., 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.20 inches, etc.). The first channel 26 may be disposed toward the center of the first connecting portion 22 such that the portions of the first connecting portion 22 on either side of the first channel 26 have widths W3 and W4. For instance, in various embodiments, the total width WT of the connecting portion 22 may be 0.75 inches. The channel width W2 of the first channel 26 may be 0.15 inches. As such, width W3 may be 0.35 inches and width W4 may be 0.25 inches. In various embodiments, wherein the total width WT of the first connecting portion 22 is 0.75 inches, the channel width W2 of the first channel 26 may be 0.20 inches. As such, width W3 may be 0.30 inches and width W4 may be 0.25 inches. However, the various dimensions of the first connecting portion 22 and the first channel 26 may vary depending on the size of the bag and associated zipping apparatus. In general, the channel size should be adequate to accommodate a semi-rigid rod or shaft.

Similarly, the second channel 28 is disposed along the second connecting portion 24. For instance, the second channel 28 may be at least a portion of the second connecting portion 24. The second connecting portion 24 may have a total width W1 within a range of 0.25-1.25 inches, inclusively (e.g., 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 1 inch, etc.). The second channel 28 may have a channel width W2 within a range of 0.05-0.25 inches, inclusively (e.g., 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.20 inches, etc.). The second channel 28 may be disposed toward the center of the second connecting portion 24 such that the portions of the second connecting portion 24 on either side of the second channel 28 have widths W3 and W4. For instance, in various embodiments, the total width WT of the second connecting portion 24 may be 0.75 inches. The channel width W2 of the second channel 28 may be 0.15 inches. As such, width W3 may be 0.35 inches and width W4 may be 0.25 inches. In various embodiments, wherein the total width WT of the second connecting portion 24 is 0.75 inches, the channel width W2 of the second channel 28 may be 0.20 inches. As such, width W3 may be 0.30 inches and width W4 may be 0.25 inches. However, the various dimensions of the second connecting portion 24 and the second channel 28 may vary depending on the size of the bag and associated zipping apparatus.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6B, various modes of coupling the first connecting portion 22 with the first channel 26 and the second connecting portion 24 with the second channel 28, respectively, are illustrated. For instance, in various embodiments as shown in FIG. 6A, the first connecting portion 22 (e.g., zipper tape) may be constructed with an integrated channel (e.g., the first channel 26 is integrated with the first connecting portion 22). As shown in FIG. 6B, in various embodiments, the first channel 26 may be affixed (e.g., sewn, adhered, etc.) to at least one side of the first connecting portion 22. For instance, the first channel 26 may be constructed from a separate strip 30 (e.g., fabric) wherein the separate strip 30 is sewn to the first connecting portion 22. As shown in FIG. 6C, in various embodiments, the first channel 26 may be formed by folding a strip of fabric (e.g., the separate strip 30) in half lengthwise and affixing the free ends to one another, thus creating a channel (e.g., the first channel 26). The created channel can then be affixed (e.g., sewn, adhered, etc.) to the first connecting portion 22 along its length (e.g., the parallel axis). As shown in FIG. 6D, in various embodiments, a tube 32 (e.g., a fabric tube) may be created to define a channel (the first channel 20) within the tube 32 by affixing (e.g., sewing, adhering, etc.) the surrounding portions of the tube (e.g., the surrounding fabric) to itself in two positions lengthwise opposite from one another to create the channel.

Similarly, in various embodiments as shown in FIG. 6A, the second connecting portion 24 (e.g., zipper tape) may be constructed with an integrated channel (e.g., the second channel 28 is integrated with the second connecting portion 24). As shown in FIG. 6B, in various embodiments, the second channel 28 may be affixed (e.g., sewn, adhered, etc.) to at least one side of the second connecting portion 24. For instance, the second channel 28 may be constructed from a separate strip 34 (e.g., fabric) wherein the separate strip 34 is sewn to the second connecting portion 24. As shown in FIG. 6C, in various embodiments, the second channel 28 may be formed by folding a strip of fabric (e.g., the separate strip 34) in half lengthwise and affixing the free ends to one another, thus creating a channel (e.g., the second channel 28). The created channel can then be affixed (e.g., sewn, adhered, etc.) to the second connecting portion 24 along its length (e.g., the parallel axis). As shown in FIG. 6D, in various embodiments, a tube 36 (e.g., a fabric tube) may be created to define a channel (the first channel 20) within the tube 36 by affixing (e.g., sewing, adhering, etc.) the surrounding portions of the tube (e.g., the surrounding fabric) to itself in two positions lengthwise opposite from one another to create the channel.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-4 , the zipping apparatus 10 includes a first rod 38. The first rod 38 is configured to be positioned within the first channel 26 such that the first rod 38 is configured to provide structure to the zipper assembly 10 when positioned within the first channel 26. For instance, the first rod 38 is configured to be inserted into the first channel 26 from an open end of the first channel 26. The first rod 38 may comprise a semi-rigid material. The first rod 38 may extend at least substantially along the entire length of the first channel 26, which extends at least substantially along the entire length of the first connecting portion 22, which extends at least substantially along the entire length of the zipper 12.

The zipping apparatus 10 includes a second rod 40. The second rod 40 is configured to be positioned within the second channel 28 such that the second rod 40 is configured to provide structure to the zipper assembly 10 when positioned within the second channel 28. For instance, the second rod 40 is configured to be inserted into the second channel 28 from an open end of the second channel 28. The second rod 40 may comprise a semi-rigid material. The second rod 40 may extend at least substantially along the entire length of the second channel 28, which extends at least substantially along the entire length of the second connecting portion 24, which extends at least substantially along the entire length of the zipper 12.

The semi-rigid rods or shafts (e.g., the first rod 38 and/or the second rod 40) may be inserted through the channel (e.g., the first channel 26 and/or the second channel 28), either before, after, or during the affixing of the zipper 12 to the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 24 and the addition of the tab 16. Once the first rod 38 and/or the second rod 40 are positioned within the first channel 26 and/or the second channel 28, respectively, the outside edge of the fabric strip or zipper tape (e.g., the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 24) may be sewn onto the baggage of which the zipper assembly 10 is to be used. Alternately, the zipper 12 may be sewn in place with the bag and the semi-rigid stiffening rods or shafts may be inserted subsequently.

As such, incorporating a stiffening component (e.g., the first rod 38 and/or the second rod 40) to the zipper 12 and/or zipper tape prevents bending and folding of the zipper 12 while opening and closing the zipper 12 by stiffening the fabric. Thus, the zipping apparatus 10 as described herein facilitates for a smooth and easy opening and closing of the zipper. The addition of such a stiffening component to other non-zipper closure applications where bending or folding is a problem may also be implemented. This could include the addition of said stiffening means to hook and loop closures, snapped closures, buttoned closures, etc.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

The construction and arrangement of the elements as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied.

Additionally, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). Rather, use of the word “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Also, for example, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re -sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments.

Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. In some cases, the actions recited herein can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A zipping apparatus comprising: a zipper extending in a parallel axis, the zipper having crosslinking teeth and a tab movably coupled to the crosslinking teeth, the tab configured to open and close the zipper; a first connecting portion coupled to the zipper, the first connecting portion extending in the parallel axis; a first channel disposed along the first connecting portion, the first channel extending in the parallel axis; and a first rod configured to be positioned within the first channel, wherein the first rod is configured to provide structure to the zipper assembly when positioned within the first channel.
 2. The zipping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second connecting portion coupled to the zipper opposite the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion extending in the parallel axis; a second channel disposed along the second connecting portion, the second channel extending in the parallel axis; and a second rod configured to be positioned within the second channel, wherein the second rod is configured to provide structure to the zipper assembly when positioned within the second channel.
 3. The zipping apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are at least one of a fabric or zipper tape.
 4. The zipping apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first channel and the second channel are affixed to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, respectively.
 5. The zipping apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first channel and the second channel are integrated with the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, respectively.
 6. The zipping apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first rod and the second rod are a semi-rigid material.
 7. The zipping apparatus of claim 2, wherein the zipper, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the first channel, the second channel, the first rod, and the second rod are substantially the same length.
 8. A method of using a zipper apparatus, the method comprising: providing a zipper extending in a parallel axis and a first connecting portion coupled to the zipper, the first connecting portion extending in the parallel axis; forming a first channel disposed along the first connecting portion, the first channel extending in the parallel axis; and inserting a first rod within the first channel, wherein the first rod is configured to provide structure to the zipper assembly when positioned within the first channel.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing a second connecting portion coupled to the zipper, the second connecting portion extending in the parallel axis; forming a second channel disposed along the second connecting portion, the second channel extending in the parallel axis; and inserting a second rod within the second channel, wherein the second rod is configured to provide structure to the zipper assembly when positioned within the second channel.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are at least one of a fabric or zipper tape.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising affixing the first channel and the second channel to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, respectively.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising integrating the first channel and the second channel with the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, respectively.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the first rod and the second rod are a semi-rigid material.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the zipper, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the first channel, the second channel, the first rod, and the second rod are substantially the same length. 